When Jenna Ortega didn’t return for Season 4 of You, the actress shared she was both "devastated" and “bummed out” she couldn’t play Ellie again due to her Wednesday shooting schedule, and apparently that happened again for the last season. As You showrunner Michael Foley told Business Insider:

With many fans wondering about the reason behind Jenna Ortega‘s absence in You Season 5, showrunners Michael Foley and Justin W. Lo have come out to explain why her character was missing from the show’s final installment.